The Madras High Court has stalled the continuation of a power transmission line project by Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) in Karur and Tiruppur districts. The project involves the installation of a 198-megawatt wind power generation plant and a 17.75-km overhead transmission line. The court’s decision came after several landowners objected to the project’s impact on their agricultural land.
The TPREL had obtained approval from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in June 2024, but the landowners alleged that the public notice and approval process was not followed. The court quashed the CEA’s license and directed TPREL to restart the process, ensuring that public notices are published in leading newspapers and that objections from individuals are heard and considered.
Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy ordered TPREL to issue public notices and obtain a fresh license under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The judge allowed TPREL to continue with the project from the stage of issuing public notices, which included publishing the project details in leading English and Tamil newspapers within two weeks. The company must then consider objections from individuals and finalise the optimal route alignment before obtaining a fresh license.
The court’s decision is seen as a victory for the landowners, who had been opposing the project on the grounds that it would affect their agricultural land and livelihoods. The case highlights the importance of transparency and public participation in large-scale infrastructure projects like the one undertaken by TPREL. The court’s order serves as a reminder that companies and regulatory authorities must follow proper procedure and engage with affected communities to ensure the success of such projects.